Black Office Building - AIA Honor Award

"The site for the Black Office Building has a number of constraints, namely a small triangular site regarded as unsuitable for building purposes and is located on a headland sloping down towards the Willamette River between two streets in Portland Oregon.

The spinal matrix runs along the western boundary of the site, and spaces and volumes project eastward from it right up to the edge of the area suitable for building to offer a panoramic view of the river.

Brick is used for the outside facing, and the building blends in with the urban environment context through its handling of volume, apertures and facades while maintaining the characteristics derived from its function.

The panorama to the east also lead the architect to provide the offices on the side with large windows for light an views, and to create panoramic terraces by recessing the volumes on the upper story."

L'architettura cronache e storia